Sekgodiso upsets Kenyans with classy 800m run
SA runner stuns local favourites Mosa and Korir
SA's track middle distances rising star Prudence Sekgodiso captured the attention of the athletics world when she won the 800m women's race in a spectacular fashion at the Kip Keino Classic Continental Gold Tour in Kenya at the weekend.
The 20-year-old won her race with a personal best of 1:58.41, in what was deemed the surprise performance of the meeting held in the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi.
Sekgodiso dominated hometown favourites Mary Mosa (1:59.87) and Naomi Korir (2:00.06), relegating them to second and third place, much to the disappointment of the Kenyan fans. After her victory in Nairobi, Sekgodiso is in second place on the world lead podium for the women's 800m, behind America’s Allie Wilson. The win also secured her a place in the 2022 World Athletics Championships that will be held in Oregon, US, from July 15-24.
The lass from Polokwane was pleased with how she performed and at being able to reach all the goals she had set out for herself going to Nairobi.
“I ran a personal best and a competition record. I’m excited,” she said in her post-race interview.
“The plan was to qualify for the world champs and run a sub-two minute and all of that is sorted now,” she said.
With qualification for the world championships secured, Sekgodisho has less weight on her shoulders and is looking to have a breeze of a season.
While her race calendar is still unclear, especially after her heroics in East Africa, she’s targeting the African championships in Mauritius from June 8-12 and the IAAF Diamond League races as preparations for the big one.
“[With the African champs] the plan there is I’m just going to run because all is done now. All is well now and I’m ready for anything.
“For now, I’m not sure [about future races] but my dream is to run in the Diamond Leagues,” she said.
Meanwhile, in the ASA Marathon Championship held in Durban yesterday, Tumelo Motlagale won the men’s title in 2:11.14 while Janet Mbhele won the women’s in 2:33.15.
I ran a PB and competition record